Japan is testing its new maglev bullet train. It’s the fastest train in the world. It reaches speeds of 600 kilometres (375 miles) per hour. That’s more than twice the top speed of the Acela Express, the fastest train in the United States.
Maglev is short for “magnetic levitation.” This train does not just run on wheels. It also floats. Powerful magnets in the train and rails lift the train four inches into the air. They also propel it. And since the train doesn’t touch the rails, there’s no friction. That means super speeds.
Japan hopes to have the maglev in use by the year 2027. Travelling won't be the same. The country's capital, Tokyo, is 350 kilometres (218 miles) from the city of Nagoya. The trip takes nearly 5 hours by car, but the maglev will make it in 40 minutes.Japan is not the first country to build a magnetic train. China has used one for years, but that one is slower. It goes between Shanghai and its airport at a top speed of 268 miles per hour.Life has sped up. People want to travel more quickly. High-speed trains make that possible. The most famous passenger-carrying maglev train is in China. Most high-speed trains rely on wheels. Check out these speeds.
Maglev is short for “magnetic levitation.” This train does not just run on wheels. It also floats. Powerful magnets in the train and rails lift the train four inches into the air. They also propel it. And since the train doesn’t touch the rails, there’s no friction. That means super speeds.Japan hopes to have the maglev in use by the year 2027. Travelling won't be the same. The country's capital, Tokyo, is 350 kilometres (218 miles) from the city of Nagoya. The trip takes nearly 5 hours by car, but the maglev will make it in 40 minutes.Japan is not the first country to build a magnetic train. China has used one for years, but that one is slower. It goes between Shanghai and its airport at a top speed of 268 miles per hour.Life has sped up. People want to travel more quickly. High-speed trains make that possible. The most famous passenger-carrying maglev train is in China. Most high-speed trains rely on wheels. Check out these speeds.
